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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Canterbury Provincial District]

Farmers

Farmers.

Allandale Farm (Pearce Brothers, proprietors), Sherwood, Rakaia. Mr. William Edward Pearce, eldest son of the late Mr. W. A. Pearce, and one of the firm of Messrs Pearce Brothers, was born in London. He accompanied his parents to New Zealand, and was brought up to farming; he also spent two years in learning the trade of a blacksmith. On the death of his father, in 1900, he, in conjunction with his brother. Mr. E. W. Pearce, succeeded to the estate. Mr. Pearce is member of the Ashburton Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and of the New Zealand Farmers' Union.

Railway Hotel.

Railway Hotel.

Auchenflower Estate, Rakaia. This property comprises 3353 acres freehold, acquired in 1872 and afterwards. “Auchenflower” was one of the earliest purchases on the south bank of the Rakaia, and was bought before the bridge was erected. It has been systematically improved, and is one of the best estates in the district for growing grain and root crops, and for rearing and fattening sheep. There are two stud flocks on the estate—Shropshire and Romneys. The Shropshire flock is unsurpassed in New Zealand. It was established in 1892, with two rams and seven ewes, selected in England by Mr. J. A. McIlraith, for the flock of Mr. Charles Coxon, of Staffordshire. In 1895 the Messrs McIlraith imported another ram from the same breeder, and another has since then been bought from Mr. R. S. Steel, of Tasmania. The Romney stud flock was established in 1894 by a purchase from Mr. R. N. Bealey, of Haldon station. Since then another purchase has been made from Mr. Bealey, and a ram has also been bought from Mr. F. Grey, of Masterton. “Auchenflower” is especially noteworthy on account of its buildings. The mansion house is situated on the top of the terrace overlooking the Rakaia, with a fine view of the great Canterbury Plains, and the snowy Southern Alps in the distance. The building is of brick and iron, and the architecture is after a style which Mr. J. McIlraith noticed while he was in Berlin. The woolshed and the manager's house are of the same material. About 1881 the Messrs McIlraith also purchased about 2400 acres near Mataura, in Southland.

Auchenflower House.

Auchenflower House.

Mr. J. A. McIlraith, sometime of “Auchenflower,” was born in 1834, in Ayrshire, Scotland, where he was educated. At the age of seventeen he came out to Victoria, and settled in the Western District, where he followed station life on extensive runs owned by some of his relations. In 1856 he came to New Zealand, and two years later assumed the management of Home Bush station. page 788 At that time the run was stocked with cattle, and there were no improvements, nor was there much inducement to make them, as there were only twenty acres of freehold. Mr. McIlraith, however, kept adding to the area, until the freehold amounted to 18,000 acres, and the improvements increased in proportion. Three hundred acres were planted with pines from almost every country an the world, and with hardwood and ornamental trees. On the discovery of coal and fireclay on the property, in 1871, the stables and other buildings were erected of bricks, and subsequently the woolshed was built of the same material. After thirty-three years of management Mr. McIlraith left in 1894, and settled on his own land on the banks of the Rakaia, but for the same of Auld Lang Syne he occasionally visited Home Bush, as well as a farm of 1250 acres which he himself owned near Glentunnel. Mr. McIlraith was the first chairman of the Malvern Road Board, and after that road district was divided into three, he was for many years chairman of the East and South Malvern Road Boards. He died at “Auchenflower” on the 24th of February, 1903.

Mr. A. D. McIlraith, J.P., of Auchenflower Estate, was born in Ayrshire, Scotland. He came to New Zealand in the ship “Chariot of Fame,” and passed about three years at Home Bush and Culverden alternately. In 1865 he was appointed to the management of Home Bush during his brother's two years absence in the Old World. While he was at Home Bush he sold three-year-old steers fat off tussock at £17 per head to the West Coast dealers. In 1868 he spent three months in travelling in the North Island, and in 1869 he was appointed to the management of Haldon station, the property of Mr. Bealey. This was a run of 40,000 acres, and in addition to managing it, Mr. McIlraith had to look after 2000 acres at Southbridge, and also, later on, 1000 acres on the river Styx, including the present site of the Belfast freezing works. After twenty-three years in harness as manager of these large properties, Mr. McIlraith took a well-earned holiday, during which he visited Fiji, Australia and the Home Country, where he spent nearly one year. Mr. McIlraith occupied a seat on the Rakaia Road Board for twelve years, during which the board acted for the Selwyn Council in helping to carry out the water-races, which have done so much for settlement on the plains. He was placed on the Commission of the Peace in 1882, and in 1894 he was married to Alice Douglas Milne, second daughter of the late Mr. George Augustus Milne, of Exeter, England.

Mr. and Mrs A. D. McIlraith and Child.

Mr. and Mrs A. D. McIlraith and Child.

Boag, William, Sheepfarmer, Rakaia, Mr. Boag is a son of Mr. John Boag, of Brookside, and grandson of the late Mr. William Boag, one of the pioneers of Canterbury. He was educated at Brookside, at the Christchurch Boys' High School, and at Canterbury College, learned farming with his father, and settled at Rakaia in 1893, when he bought 600 acres, a portion of the Acton estate. Mr. Boag makes a study of current politics. He
Standish and Preece, photo.Mr. and Mrs W. Boag.

Standish and Preece, photo.
Mr. and Mrs W. Boag.

page 789 strongly supports the No-License movement and was a member of the Selwyn Licensing Committee in 1897–1900. Mr. Boag married Miss Morland, niece of Mr. T. Morland, of South Rakaia, and second daughter of Mr. W. Morland, of “Riseholme,” Spreydon, and has one child.

Croy, James, Farmer, “Allamina,” Overdale, Rakaia. Mr. Croy was born in Orkney, Scotland, in 1848, and came to New Zealand by the ship “Blue Jacket,” on her last trip to this colony. After being a short time in the employment of Mr. Henry Kimber, of Tai Tapu, he went to Brookside, and spent six years in the service of Mr. Cunningham and Mr. J. Boag. In 1875 he bought seventy acres on the Longbeach estate, and afterwards increased the area to 203 acres, on which he farmed successfully until he sold out and bought his present valuable property at Overdale. His land, which was formerly owned by Mr. Oakley, consists of 486 acres, all thoroughly improved and in a state of advanced cultivation. Mr. Croy carries on a system of general farming, and fattens a large number of lambs. He is well known as a breeder of horses and sheep, and owns a stud of Southdowns, the winners of numerous first prizes. Mr. Croy devotes considerable attention to the raising of prize fowls, and is known as a most successful breeder of Indian game, Langshan, silver Dorkings, and brown Leghorns. His experience has led him to the conclusion that on account of whiteness of flesh, size, and early maturity, a cross between the Indian game and Dorking hen produces the best results. Mr. Croy is a member of the Ashburton Agricultural and Pastoral Association, at the shows of which he has been a very successful prize-taker with sheep and other stock. He was for many years a member of the Longbeach Road Board and school committee, and he is at present on the Overdale school committee. Mr. Croy married Miss Moore, daughter of Mr. Robert Moore, an old settler at Brookside, and there is a family of five sons, of whom two are successful farmers, and the two youngest live at home.

Mr. and Mrs J Croy and Family. See page 789.

Mr. and Mrs J Croy and Family. See page 789.

Campbell, John, Farmer, “Mitcham,” Rakaia. Mr. Campbell was born in County Antrim, Ireland, in 1835, and landed at Port Chalmers by the “Star of Tasmania,” in 1862. Not satisfied with the prospects there, he came shortly afterwards to Christchurch, and was employed for three years roadmaking, and in helping to build the protective works at the Waimakariri river. He then joined Mr. Blake's party in roadmaking at the Teremakau, where he remained about one year. In 1866 Mr. Campbell returned to Canterbury to take up and work a farm he had previously purchased at Southbridge. About eleven years afterwards he leased his place to a tenant, and removed to Rakaia, where he worked for two years on the Acton estate, and for a similar period on the property of Mr. Leonard White. In 1877 Mr. Campbell took up his present property of 566 acres, on lease, with a purchasing clause, and has since acquired the freehold. He fattens lambs, crops about 200 acres, and keeps about 400 sheep. Mr. Campbell has never taken any part in public affairs, but he is a member of the Ashburton Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and of the Farmers' Union, and a shareholder of the New Zealand Farmers' Cooperative Association. He is unmarried.

Davison, H. R., Sheepfarmer, Hatfield Farm, Rakaia. Mr. Davison was born at Crumlin, County Antrim, Ireland, in 1841, and arrived at Lyttelton by the ship “Victoria” in 1862. After his arrival he was fencing at Springston, and for the three ensuing years was engaged on the formation of the streets and roads in and around Christchurch. About 1866 Mr. Davison took up about fifty acres of land at the Killinchy swamp, the Killinchy church now stands on a portion of his original selection. Success enabled Mr. Davison to add about ninety acres to his area, and he farmed at Killinchy until 1874, when he removed to the Rakaia district, and started cropping on the Coster estate, where he subsequently bought 200 acres, to which he added, and now has a fine block of 450 acres, with extensive homestead buildings. Mr. Davison keeps sheep, grows grain and breeds a fine class of draught horses. The property at Killinchy is now carried on by his son, and his youngest son assists him in the management of Hatfield Farm. Mr. Davison has been twice married. His first wife, whom he married before leaving Ireland, died in 1884, leaving six sons and one daughter; and he married, secondly, Mrs Crothers, who had occupied the position of teacher at the Kullinchy school for years.

Holmeslee Estate, South Rakaia. This is the property of the family of the late Mr. D. Gordon Holmes. It contains 5000 acres, and was bought from the Crown in 1872, when it was all in its native state. Mr. Holmes had other properties and the freeholds have a total area of about 10,000 acres. The chief products are grain, wool, and mutton. Mr. Holmes had 2500 acres in grain in one season, and 800 acres in turnips. When the soil was in its virgin state it yielded up to sixty bushels of wheat per acre, but now a yield of from thirty to forty bushels is considered a good crop. Mr. Holmes had a small stud flock of Lincolns, which was established in 1884 by purchases from Mr. Lockhart when that gentleman dispersed his flock. The pastures at “Holmeslee” are extremely nutritious, and the annual increase in lambs is from ninety to one hundred per cent. Holmeslee House is situated on a natural eminence in the midst of the plain, and commands a fine view of the surrounding country. The grounds are laid out and planted with great taste, and the avenue runs down to the main road. Excellent taste has
Holmeslee House.

Holmeslee House.

page 790 been exhibited also in laying out the garden and orchard.

Mr. D. Gordon Holmes was born in Ireland, in 1836, arrived in Victoria in 1857, and came to New Zealand in 1862 to take charge of the construction of the Lyttelton tunnel for his uncle, Mr. George Holmes, then absent in Australia. On his uncle's return to New Zealand, Mr. D. G. Holmes went to Pigeon Bay to superintend the cutting, sawing, and shipping of the sleepers for the south line, but his uncle's health failing, he had to return and superintend the construction of the line himself. Mr. Holmes never entered public life, though often solicited to do so, but he had occupied a seat on the local road board, and his knowledge of engineering was of much service to the district, and highly prized by is fellow members. In 1877 Mr. Holmes was married to Miss Deamer, eldest daughter of the late Dr. Deamer, of Christchurch. He died on the 13th of November, 1902.

The late Mr. D. G. Holmes and Mrs Holmes.

The late Mr. D. G. Holmes and Mrs Holmes.

Irwin, John, Farmer, “Fairfield,” Rakaia. Mr. Irwin was born in County Armagh, Ireland, in 1841, and arrived at Lyttelton in 1865, by the ship “Greyhound.” Being a thoroughly practical farmer, he was appointed manager of the Glentui station, then owned by the late Mr. Knowles, and held the position for over five years. During that period he bought 362 acres of his present property, and began farming on his own account in 1875. The land was then in tussock, and without shelter of any sort, and for two weeks his dray had to serve him also as his dwellinghouse. Mr. Irwin succeeded as a farmer, and he now has 607 acres around his homestead, besides another block of 521 acres not far off, and twenty-nine acres in the township of Rakaia. He keeps sheep and grows grain, and as the soil is fertile the crops are invariably good. Mr. Irwin has been chairman of the Rokeby school committee for several years, and a member of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and since his residence in the Rakaia district, he has taken a prominent part in church matters. As a Freemason he is a member of Lodge Rakaia. Mr. Irwin visited the Old Country, and returned by way of America. He married Miss Coote, of Cadan, Ireland, but she died in 1885, leaving one son and one daughter.

Mr. and Mrs J. Irwin.

Mr. and Mrs J. Irwin.

Mr. J. Irwin and Children.

Mr. J. Irwin and Children.

Magson, Robert, Welburn Farm, South Rakaia. Mr. Magson was born at Welburn, near York, in England, and was brought up to farming. He came to New Zealand in 1864 in the ship “Eastern Empire,” and helped to make the West Coast and Lochinvar Roads. For six months he worked on the West Coast goldfields, where, instead of making money, he lost £100. He then returned to Canterbury, and stayed for a time at “Craigieburn” with his brother, who set him up again. After that he entered the service of Mr. C. Withell, with whom he remained for four years. He took up the first land at Dunsandel, and purchased his present farm of 518 acres in 1873, when the land was all in its native state. The land was cropped with good results, and Mr. Magson threshed as much as fifty-five bushels to the acre. After growing grain for six years he stocked his land with sheep, and now farms on the rotation system, with about one-third of the farm in white and green crops. The land carries a sheep to the acre, and cattle and horses are kept only for the use of the farm. Mr. Magson was married, in 1871, to Miss McPhail, who died in 1884, leaving four sons and two daughters.

Mr. R. Magson.

Mr. R. Magson.

Morland, Thomas, Avenel Farm, South Rakaia. Mr. Morland was born in County Down, Ireland, in 1842. In youth he followed farming, and came out to New Zealand in 1865, in the ship “Greyhound.” His first work was to plough part of Hagley Park, Christchurch. In 1868 he took up land at Greendale, and he held it for seven years. He was one of the first to take up land south of the Rakaia, and had crops which threshed out as much as fifty bushels of wheat per acre from the maiden soil. The Avenel estate contains about 1600 acres, and is divided into twenty paddocks. Good crops of grain and roots are raised, and a large number of sheep and lambs are annually fattened for the export meat trade. Mr. Morland has served on the road board, and is chairman of the directors of the Rakaia Saleyards Company. He was married, in 1879, to Miss Ward, daughter of Mr. page 791 T. Ward, of Hororata, and has four sons and three daughters.

Mr. T. Morland.

Mr. T. Morland.

Oakley, Robert, Sheepfarmer, Overdale. Mr. Oakley is a son of Mr. Alfred Oakley, who came to New Zealand by the ship “Strathallan” in 1859, accompanied by his wife and family. Mr. Alfred Oakley was first employed by Mr. Hill, of Avonhead, where he remained ten years. He was afterwards with Mr. Charles Withell, of Brookside, for thirteen years and a-half. In 1883 he removed to Rakaia to join his son, Mr. Robert Oakley, with whom he now resides in his declining years. Mr. Robert Oakley was born in Norfolk, England, and accompanied his parents to New Zealand when he was at the age of four. He was first employed by Mr. Charies Withell, with whom he remained eight years, and was afterwards contracting at Burnham for eighteen months. In 1878 he settled at Rakaia, where he bought 176 acres of his present property, the only building of which was then a sod whare. Mr. Oakley soon increased the area of his farm, which now consists of 1280 acres of fertile land, with a fine dwellinghouse, and all other necessary buildings. He carries on general farming, and also fattens large numbers of sheep and lambs for freezing. Mr. Oakley has always taken a great interest in education, and has been a member of the Overdale school committee for years, and was chairman for some time. A portion of the school grounds was presented by him, and the district and school bear the name of his farm. Before the erection of the Overdale school, Mr. Oakley was a member of the Rakaia and Chertsey school committees. He is an elder of the Rakaia Presbyterian church, of which he has been treasurer for the last eight years. Mr. Oakley is an Oddfellow, and a trustee of the Rakaia Lodge. He married Miss Doyle, eldest daughter of Mr. John Doyle, of Ruapuna, Rangitata, and there is a family of three sons and four daughters.

Standish and Preece, Photo.Mr. And Mrs R. Oakley.

Standish and Preece, Photo.
Mr. And Mrs R. Oakley.

Richards, Thomas, Sheepfarmer, “Roseville,” Overdale, Rakaia. Mr. Richards was born in Wexford, Ireland, in 1853. He was for years engaged in farming at Home with his father, and at the same time he carried on large operations in cattle dealing. In 1877 he came to New Zealand by the ship “Opawa,” and settled at Methven, where he was ploughing and contracting throughout the district. Two years later he was appointed foreman ploughman on the Acton station, and held the position for six years. He then started cropping on some leased land, and three years afterwards, in conjunction with his brother, Mr Edward Richards, of Dorie, bought the property on which the latter gentleman's homestead now stands. Prosperity attended the labours of the partnership, and shortly afterwards the present property of Mr. Thomas Richards was bought. The partnership was then dissolved, and each brother took his present estate. Mr. Thomas Richards has since added 1014 acres in the Dorie district to his property, on which he conducts general farming. He has been for years a member of the Overdale school committee and of the Ashburton Agricultural and Pastoral Association. Mr. Richards married Miss Harrison, a member of one of the best known families in the district, and there is a family of five sons and three daughters.

Ross, Samuel, Farmer, “Dellmount,” Rakaia. Mr. Ross was born in 1855, at Glenark, Newtown Stewart, County Tyrone, Ireland, and came to New Zealand by the ship “Eastern Monarch” in 1874. He was first engaged for six months as ploughman by the late Mr. J. P. Barr, and was, for the ensuing five years, with the late Mr. J. Hall, of Leeston, Mr. Ross removed to Rakaia in 1882, and for about eight years he owned and worked a threshing plant in partnership with Mr. Leonard White. On the dissolution of the partnership, Mr. Ross started farming on his present property, which he had previously bought while it was in its unimproved state, and without any buildings. He has thoroughly improved the land, and erected a handsome homestead, with large offices and sheds, on a well chosen site. Mr. Ross Annually fattens lambs for freezing, and also crops a portion of his land. He has for some time been a member of the Overdale school committee. Mr. page 792 Ross married Miss Oakley, daughter of Mr. Oakley, sometime of Overdale, and has nine children.

Standish and Preece, photo.Mr. and Mrs S. Ross.

Standish and Preece, photo.
Mr. and Mrs S. Ross.